vbulletin purchase questions

[MidnightPyro]

I'm about to purchase my vbulletin. However, I have a few questions. Some of which need the opinnions of other people.

a.) Can a vbulletin board atleast break even? $160 is a lot of money for me to dish out. I have hosting free, but if I ever need to pay that'll be another expense. Do any of you somehow atleast break even? I enjoy bulletin boards, but if it gets to be $50+ a month of expenses, that might be a bit much.

b.) I'm looking to start a general chat community. How sucessful are those? If it bombs, can vbulletin give me any sort of money back?

c.) How easy would a license be to resell if the bulletin board failed?

d.) Is there a complete list of features of what will be new in vbulletin 3? I was a former administrator (not owner, but..) of a vbulletin 2 community. I like it a lot, but it would be nice to see whats going to be new.

e.) I plan on purchasing online with a credit card. Would the sale be automatic, and would i get my license instantly, or would this require manual intereference and how long would this take.

Sorry if I'm a nuisance, but $160 isn't a small amount for me and I'm making sure it really is worth my while.

Thank you very much ;)

[ccd1]

Originally posted by MidnightPyro


a.) Can a vbulletin board atleast break even? $160 is a lot of money for me to dish out. I have hosting free, but if I ever need to pay that'll be another expense. Do any of you somehow atleast break even? I enjoy bulletin boards, but if it gets to be $50+ a month of expenses, that might be a bit much.



Large boards make quite a bit in donations (depends).

b.) I'm looking to start a general chat community. How sucessful are those? If it bombs, can vbulletin give me any sort of money back?

No, but you can resell your license.

c.) How easy would a license be to resell if the bulletin board failed?


As easy as finding an interested party.

d.) Is there a complete list of features of what will be new in vbulletin 3? I was a former administrator (not owner, but..) of a vbulletin 2 community. I like it a lot, but it would be nice to see whats going to be new.


Check the vB3 announcement.

e.) I plan on purchasing online with a credit card. Would the sale be automatic, and would i get my license instantly, or would this require manual intereference and how long would this take.

Immediate

[MidnightPyro]

Thanks for the info.
Basically, if theres any vB owners that can personally comment, I'm creating a new vbulletin board. I want to start it out right, so I'm choosing vbulletin ;) How quickly do general communities grow, and do you atleast break even?

[ccd1]

It really depends. If your community is part of a site that already has high traffic, then you cang et it quickly (since you already have visitors).

If it's a brand new site, it may take a while (months, even)

My community has around 350 members and has been up almost a year, I have not gotten one penny in return for my site.

[MidnightPyro]

Ouch....
Well, any other comments are welcome ;)

[Wayne Luke]

Originally posted by MidnightPyro
I'm about to purchase my vbulletin. However, I have a few questions. Some of which need the opinnions of other people.

a.) Can a vbulletin board atleast break even? $160 is a lot of money for me to dish out. I have hosting free, but if I ever need to pay that'll be another expense. Do any of you somehow atleast break even? I enjoy bulletin boards, but if it gets to be $50+ a month of expenses, that might be a bit much.


The major site that I administrate makes almost $4000 a month in Advertising and Affiliate sales.


b.) I'm looking to start a general chat community. How sucessful are those? If it bombs, can vbulletin give me any sort of money back?

No... vBulletin does not guarantee the success of your site.


c.) How easy would a license be to resell if the bulletin board failed?
Probably pretty easy.


d.) Is there a complete list of features of what will be new in vbulletin 3? I was a former administrator (not owner, but..) of a vbulletin 2 community. I like it a lot, but it would be nice to see whats going to be new.


In the Announcement forum is a major list.


e.) I plan on purchasing online with a credit card. Would the sale be automatic, and would i get my license instantly, or would this require manual intereference and how long would this take.

It is usually automatic and takes minutes.

[MidnightPyro]

Thanks for your help!
Anyhow, one last question.
Instead of using a CC, I was wondering about sending a *personal* check to you guys. I was wondering if this had to be in the purchasers name, as I don't have my own checking account...parents. ;)

Also, I live in the Cincinnati (Ohio) area. Do you know how long this would take to recieve and setup my license?

Thank you :)

[Wayne Luke]

You can pay via Personal Check sent to our UK Office. The amount of time it will take depends on shipping time and how much time it takes to clear our bank. If the funds are in Pound Sterling instead of U.S. Dollars it will most likely speed it up a day or two.

To pay by check, fill out the order form at www.vbulletin.com/order.php

[Odysseus]

Originally posted by MidnightPyro
Can a vbulletin board atleast break even? $160 is a lot of money for me to dish out. I have hosting free, but if I ever need to pay that'll be another expense. Do any of you somehow atleast break even? I enjoy bulletin boards, but if it gets to be $50+ a month of expenses, that might be a bit much.

Em ... you know that these $160 are payed only once and not per month? ;)